Wednesday is Throwdown day at Keith & the Movies. It’s when we take two movie subjects, pit them against each other, and see who’s left standing. Each Wednesday we’ll look at actors, actresses, movies, genres, scenes, and more. I’ll make a case for each and then see how they stand up one-on-one. And it’s not just my opinion that counts. I’ll share my take and then open up the polls to you. Visit each week for a new Throwdown. Vote each week to decide the true winner!
*Last week Christian Bale (74%) manhandled Michael Keaton (26%) in a Batman battle to the death.*
This week it’s an action movie face-off between the two biggest names of the 80’s. The 80’s and early 90’s were the glory days of the action genre and no one was bigger than Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Forget the critical acclaim, the stuffy Academy Awards, and the overrated importance of good acting. These guys were all about biceps, blood, and bullets. Before they teamed up in the recent “The Expendables” movies, these two had a huge box office rivalry that lasted several years. Now it’s time to settle the big question. Which of these action movie icons is truly the best? Their guns are loaded, their knives are sharpened, and their muscles are flexed. But it’s your votes that will decide the outcome.
STALLONE vs. SCHWARZENEGGER
At 66-years old, Sly Stallone is still kicking bad guy’s butts on the big screen. But then again, he’s been doing it for almost 40 years. His career really took off in 1976 with “Rocky”. But it was “First Blood” and “Rambo: First Blood Part 2” that laid the foundation for what would become an amazing action movie career. He would go on to clean up a psycho cult in “Cobra”, team up with Kurt Russell in “Tango & Cash”, hang from mountain cliffs in “Cliffhanger”, battle baddies in the future with “Demolition Man” and “Judge Dredd”, and rescue survivors trapped in a collapsed tunnel in “Daylight”. He’s also made several more “Rocky” pictures and two more “Rambo” films. He has several new projects ahead but he’ll always be remembered for his incredible run that helped make the action genre so popular.
Arnold Schwarzenegger may have more memorable scenes and memorable one-liners than anyone in cinema history. He also has an action movie resume that’s as impressive as any you will see. This one-time Austrian bodybuilder made a name for himself in the early 80’s with his “Conan” films. But his career really took off when he traded his sword for a gun in the sci-fi classic “The Terminator”. He then cemented his one-man-army status in “Commando” and “Raw Deal”. He would battle an alien threat in the spectacular military sci-fi film “Predator”. He also ventured into the future with “The Running Man” and “Total Recall” before making what is one of the best sequels of all time, “Terminator 2: Judgement Day”. He mad several more action films including “True Lies” and another successful “Terminator” flick. This 65-year old has no plans on slowing down and you’ll see him plenty in 2013.
So there’s a case for both. Now you decide who’s the winner. The action movie genre wouldn’t be what it is without the contributions of these two icons. So vote now. Who’s the heavier hitter, Arnie or Sly? You decide!
Keith & the Movies 
I know I should be answering Stallone, but I went for Schwarzenegger. I just enjoy his movies a lot more (and I’ve seen more of his films)
Now I wouldn’t say you should be going for Stallone. In fact I’m voting for Schwarzenegger too. I’m with ya!
Had to go Arnie. Terminator wins out for me every time.
No arguments here. Terminator and Predator make it a slam dunk.
But Stallone does have Rambo and Rocky…who would win in a direct fight between those characters? 😉
I do love Rambo. I grew up with Rambo posters on my wall! Hmmm…
How ’bout neither? haha
Ouch!!!!!! lol!
Haha, sorry! It’s hard for me to choose because I’m not a fan of either.
I completely understand. But c’mon…Predator, Rambo, Terminator…
Haven’t seen any of those, haha, nor I plan to. MAAAAYBE Terminator someday.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! Ok, I can see where you wouldn’t want to vote for neither then! LOL
Haha. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full Arnold or Sly movie but I’ve seen just enough to be sure I don’t like them.
After my sexual “sit-down” post between these two I can’t see them in the same light Keith LOL. However, I’ve went with Sly on this one. Rocky’s the type of films that has you punching the air with delight. Plus, he writes and directs his own stuff and he was actually reall good in a proper dramatic role with Copland.
LOL!!!!!! Really good arguments for Sly. I grew up watching both of these guys so I have an affection for both. For me it really became a toss-up between who had the most movies that I liked. Deep stuff here isn’t it? lol
Love, love, love Rambo. Even named a dog after him. Love Cobra! But I also love Conan!
Growing up in the action era, I was found of them both also! Still am!
I give Arnie an edge as I enjoyed more of his movies than Sly’s. Plus I used to be obsessed with Conan The Destroyer growing up, ahah. I’m baffled as to why though.
ME TOO!!! I remember living Conan The Destroyer! I can’t help but chuckle at it now but I loved it as a kid.
I’ve gone for Stallone. The Rocky films alone are enough of a back up for me. Yeah sure, I loved Terminator, T2, Predator, The Running Man and all that jazz. But … Stallone’s got a bit more to him. He created Rocky. Who’s a filmic icon. Arnie… well he just rocks up, says an iconic line and is gone!
That’s an interesting take on Sly (and a good one). That’s the big reason this poll is do close. Sly does contribute more to the filmmaking aspect of movies.
Is this even a competition? Arnold all the way!